Christopher Zachary, MD, FAAD

Dr. Christopher Zachary
​Professor and Chair Emeritus of the Department of Dermatology at the University of California, Irvine, he heads up one of the world’s premier laser and skin surgery facilities.

A dermatologist specializing in cutaneous cosmetic and laser surgery, he is frequently featured as an invited speaker at national and international symposia and is often sought out by the media (eg NY Times, CNN, Today Show) for his candid comments. His ability to critique has drawn some ire, but so far his humor and English accent have saved him from his detractors.

​His interest in lasers has led to considerable industry supported research in optimal systems for cutaneous laser surgery. He has been the program director for the Mohs College and the American Society for Laser Surgery and Medicine annual meetings. He is a Past President of the Association of Academic Dermatologic Surgeons. He is an educational innovator having founded both www.MDlive.net and co-founded www.cme.md. He has written and edited his share of papers and books.

Dr.  Zachary was born in Yorkshire, England, and educated at Ratcliffe College, Leicester, UK.  Following his medical school education at the Royal Free Hospital, University of London, he subsequently trained in Internal Medicine and Dermatology. During his time at the Institute of Dermatology, Guys and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, he gained an interest in Dermatologic Surgery. His formal surgical education was received at the Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.

He returned to the UK in 1986 to set up London's first Mohs and Laser Surgery unit. In 1988 he was recruited to the Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA, as Director of the Cutaneous Surgery and Laser Center where he spent the next 9 years.

In 1997 he sold his boat and lakeside cabin, and moved West to UCSF where he spent 8 splendid years with his friend and colleague Roy Grekin MD as Clinical Professor and Co-Director of the Cutaneous Surgery and Laser Center, UCSF, San Francisco, California. In 2005, he accepted the position as Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology at UC Irvine where he currently resides. This and his family are his main current projects.
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